Oliver Kenneth Harshaw

Oliver Kenneth Harshaw known as Kenneth or Kenny to his family and friends passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, October 19, 2016 where Kenneth resided for a few months in an assisted living facility in Bedford, Texas. Kenneth was 97 years old and had been in poor health during the past year. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean Harshaw, his parents, Oliver Henry and Ona Gail Harshaw and five siblings. He is survived by his children, Curtis Kenneth Harshaw of Grand Prairie, Texas, Norma Kathleen Maguire of Roseville, California and Linda Ruth Summers of Valrico, Florida and by two sisters, Lois Robinson and Marian Becker. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

Kenneth was born in a farm house near Edna, Kansas on April 6, 1919. He grew up as a farm boy near Oswego, Kansas during the Great Depression. Although times were difficult, the family of 10 always had plenty to eat from their hard labor on the farm. Kenneth attended Oswego High School and subsequently graduated from Altamont High School.

Kenneth met Betty at a local school box supper where Betty taught eight grades in a one room schoolhouse. Kenneth bought Betty’s box dinner and the rest is history. They fell in love and were married on September 28, 1941. They moved to Wichita, Kansas during World Ward II where Kenneth was employed as a tool and die maker at Boeing Aircraft. After the war, Kenneth and Betty returned to southeast Kansas and began farming. Kenneth’s heart was always on the farm. They eventually purchased a farm near Altamont, Kansas and subsequently purchased a farm near Liberty, Kansas where they raised their family. Kenneth also worked at various jobs to supplement the farm income. Kenneth retired form farming at age 65. They moved to Coffeyville, Kansas in 1980 and subsequently moved to Grand Prairie, Texas to be close to family in their elderly years. Kenneth and Betty were married nearly 70 years until her death at age 91.

Kenneth was a very hard worker his whole life. After retirement he held various odd jobs including mowing yards for neighbors, working as a maintenance man on an automatic car wash and moving cars at a local auto auction until he was 88 years old. He attributed his longevity to hard work and eating bacon and eggs for breakfast every day of his adult life.

A graveside memorial will be held in Kenneth’s honor at Restlawn Cemetery in Coffeyville, Kansas on Saturday, October 22nd at 11:00 a.m. where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Betty. Family and friends are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Angola Methodist Church, Angola, Kansas